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Mr. Self-will and his opinions.

Great-heart. But what more false than such a conclusion? for this is as much as to say, that because good men heretofore have sinned of infirmity, therefore he had allowance to do it of a presumptuous mind; or if, because a child by the blast of the wind, or for that it stumbled at a stone, fell down and defiled itself in the mire, therefore he might wilfully lie down, and wallow like a boar therein. Who could have thought that any one could so far have been blinded by the power of lust? But what is written must be true: "They stumble at the word, being disobedient, whereunto they also were appointed." (1 Peter ii. 8.)

His supposing that such may have the godly men's virtues, who addict themselves to their vices, is also a delusion as strong as the other. 'Tis just as if the dog should say, I have or may have the qualities of the child, because I lick up its stinking excrements. To eat up the sin of God's people (Hosea iv. 8.), is no sign of one that is possessed with their virtues. Nor can I believe that one that is of this opinion can at present have faith or love in him. But I know you have made some strong objections against him; pr'ythee, what can he say for himself?

Hon. Why he says, to do this by way of opinion seems abundantly more honest than to do it, and yet hold contrary to it in opinion.

Great-heart. A very wicked answer; for though to let loose the bridle of lusts, while our opinions are against such things, is bad; yet to sin, and plead a toleration so to do, is worse; the one stumbles beholders accidentally, the other leads them into the snare.

Hon. There are many of this man's mind, that have not this man's mouth; and that makes going on pilgrimage of so little esteem as it is.

Great-heart. You have said the truth, and it is to be lamented; but he that feareth the King of Paradise shall come out of them all. Chr. There are strange opinions in the world. I know one that said, it was time enough to repent when we come to die.

Great-heart. Such are not overwise! That man would have been loath, might he have had a week to run twenty miles in his life, to have deferred that journey till the last hour of that week.

Hon. You say right; and yet the generality of them that count

The Pilgrims arrive at an Enn.

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themselves pilgrims do indeed do thus. I am, as you see, an old man, and have been a traveller in this road many a day, and I have taken notice of many things.

I have seen some that have set out as if they would drive all the world afore them, who yet have, in few days, died as they in the wilderness, and so never got sight of the Promised land. I have seen some that have promised nothing at first setting out to be pilgrims, and that one would have thought could not have lived a day, that have yet proved very good pilgrims. I have seen some who have run hastily forward, that again have, after a little time, run as fast just back again. I have seen some who have spoken very well of a pilgrim's life at first, that after a while have spoken as much against it. I have heard some, when they first set out for Paradise, say positively there is such a place, who, when they had been almost there, have come back again, and said there is none. I have heard some vaunt what they would do in case they should be opposed, that have, even at a false alarm, fled Faith, the Pilgrim's Way, and all.

Now, as they were thus on their way, there came one running to meet them, and said, Gentlemen, and you of the weaker sort, if you love life, shift for yourselves, for the robbers are before you.

Then said Mr. Great-heart, They be the three that set upon Little-faith heretofore. Well, said he, we are ready for them; so they went on their way. Now, they looked at every turning when they should have met with the villains; but whether they heard of Mr. Great-heart, or whether they had some other game, they came not up to the pilgrims.

Christiana then wished for an inn to refresh herself and her children, because they were weary. Then said Mr. Honest, There is one a little before us, where a very honourable disciple, one Gaius, dwells. (Rom. xvi. 23.) So they all concluded to turn in thither, and the rather because the old gentleman gave him so good a report. So when they came to the door, they went in, not knocking; for folks use not to knock at the door of an inn. Then they called for the master of the house, and he came to them; so they asked if they

might lie there that night?

Gaius. Yes, Gentlemen, if you be true men; for my house is for none but pilgrims. Then was Christiana, and Mercy, and the boys,

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Talk between Gaius and his Guests.

the more glad, for that the innkeeper was a lover of pilgrims. So they called for rooms; and he showed them one for Christiana, and her children, and Mercy; and another for Mr. Great-heart and the old gentleman.

Then said Mr. Great-heart, Good Gaius, what hast thou for supper? for these pilgrims have come far to-day, and are weary.

It is late, said Gaius, so we cannot conveniently go out to seek food; but such as we have you shall be welcome to, if that will con

tent.

Great-heart. We will be content with what thou hast in the house; forasmuch as I have proved thee, thou art never destitute of that which is convenient.

Then he went down, and spake to the cook, whose name was Taste-that-which-is-good, to get ready supper for so many pilgrims. This done, he comes up again, saying, Come, my good friends, you are welcome to me, and I am glad that I have a house to entertain you; and, while supper is making ready, if you please, let us entertain one another with some good discourse; so they all said, Content. Then said Gaius, Whose wife is this aged matron, and whose daughter is this young damsel?

Great-heart. This woman is the wife of one Christian, a pilgrim of former times; and these are his four children. The maid is one of her acquaintance, one that she hath persuaded to come with her on pilgrimage. The boys take all after their father, and covet to tread in his steps; yea, if they do but see any place where the old pilgrim hath lain, or any print of his foot, it ministereth joy to their hearts, and they covet to lie or tread in the same.

Then said Gaius, Is this Christian's wife, and are these Christian's children? I knew your husband's father; yea, also his father's father. Many have been good of this stock: their ancestors dwelt first at Antioch. (Acts xi. 26.) Christian's progenitors (I suppose you have heard your husband talk of them) were very worthy men. They have, above any that I know, showed themselves men of great virtue and courage for the Lord of the pilgrims, his ways, and them that loved him. I have heard of many of your husband's relations that have stood all trials for the sake of the truth. Stephen, that was one of the first of the family from whence your husband